This week flew right on by. And then, I woke up today and thought it was Saturday. Womp womp. Total buzzkill. But, on the bright side, only a few short hours until the weekend! And, bonus, it’s Cinco de Mayo. Bring on the margaritas!

I guess I’m extra inspired by my Buffalo fashion lovers this week; here’s another one! I’ve never been a fan of off-the-shoulder looks, but Lucy from Write. Style. Travel. has changed my mind. I especially love this look!

Whatever your weekend brings (even if it involves a little snow…sigh), I hope it treats you well! Cheers!

A few weeks ago, I posted on Instagram that I’m burnt out. Between my job, boyfriend, our house, friends and family, this blog, other projects and ventures, making sure we have food on the table every night, and trying to squeeze in a workout here and there, I’m exhausted. And all of you with kids? I don’t know how you do it. You amaze me.

But really, these feelings I’ve been experiencing are no different than ones you’ve had, I’m sure. We’re all busy! Stress happens to the best of us. I simply took on too many things too quickly—a classic tale that’s left me feeling like I’m not doing a good job at any of them.

You know how, when your computer is overheated, the fan runs constantly? That’s what’s happening in my head lately. I can’t cool it and focus on one thing at a time anymore. As a result, I’ve been thinking a lot about balance and how to find it. I set out specifically looking for achievable modifications that can help me make a big lifestyle change, rather than a temporary fix, like going on vacation (though that sounds great too!). I narrowed down the top 10 practical adjustments I’m going to try, so I can get myself back on track.

Brrrr…It certainly isn’t news that it’s been a frigid week. Instead of craving corned beef and cabbage, like I normally would on St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve been pining for cozy but still festive comfort foods like stew.

A few months ago I gushed about my adoration for architecture when I recapped my trip to the Darwin Martin House, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School masterpieces. So when the Martin House staff kindly invited me to return in February, I replied immediately with an enthusiastic yes.

The unseasonably warm weather this week in WNY switched me right into spring mode. According to my short-sighted brain, winter is out. If you live in a place where winter is dark, cold, and dreary, you understand the complete mood swing that warmer weather brings each spring. You’re reminded that there are people who live around you (gasp!), and that your living space isn’t limited to stuffy rooms. It’s always a breath of fresh air, and one I’ve been searching for as of late. Thank you, universe, for bringing this much-needed revival.

It’s been awhile since I did a Friday I’m in Love post, so here are some things that have been catching my eye around the web as of late.

What’s going on this weekend? I’m excited to get outside, host some friends for dinner on Saturday, and do some reading/writing when winter heads back into town on Sunday. Whatever you’re up to, I hope you have a good one!

Do you ever meet someone and think, “I want to be her!”? That happened to me when I sat down to talk with Jaime Brawdy, owner and stylist at Canvas Salon & Gallery. If you’ve been following along with Run the World, my series about inspiring women in business, you know that I love using the term career badass. But Jaime, she’s a badass in every sense of the word.

Her confidence, kind demeanor, and relatable dialogue make Jaime a role model and inspiration for women in any field. After talking with her, I left feeling motivated to get out there, stand up for myself, and carry out my dreams.

Jaime’s own dream, her hair salon, is unique—it doubles as an art gallery. The space is a welcoming, creative environment for its clients and the community alike. We recently got together to chat about her story and how the salon/gallery concept came to be.

Guys! You may or may not be aware, but today is a major holiday. Sound the alarms, stop everything you’re doing, and put on your party hats. IT’S NATIONAL PIZZA DAY!

I’ve made it pretty clear in my tagline, footer, about page, and across social media that I’m a pizza enthusiast. I live for that divine combo of bread, sauce, and cheese. But yet, you haven’t seen a single slice appear in an actual post here. The truth is, I’ve been struggling to figure out how to incorporate it. Pizza is important, after all. I want to get it right.

But there’s something holding me back. The ‘ol pizza prejudice. Everyone has a preference—thin-crust, deep dish, brick oven, you name it. Most of us have a little hometown bias, too, gravitating toward the sweet sauce or slightly-charred crust we devoured through our childhoods. I certainly have it. Growing up in Ohio, we didn’t have a lot of gourmet pie options. My favorite hometown pizza, square with a fairly thick dough and perfectly tomato-y sauce, would be ripped to shreds by a real pizza critic. And yet, I’m hopelessly devoted.

So, on this day of celebration, tell me: what’s your favorite pizza/where’s it from? Why do you like it so much? And, what kind of pizza shenanigans would you like to read about here?

But seriously, who else is ordering pizza for dinner tonight? And maaaaybe having a slice for lunch too? 🙋I’ll be headed to one of my close-to-home faves, Pesci’s or Picasso’s. Go ahead, get crazy. National Pizza Day only happens once a year, after all!

There’s something nostalgic about sloppy joes. And if you know me at all, or have been following along here, you know that I’m a sap. Something about this sandwich brings me right back to sitting on the living room floor for a “picnic” with my sister.

After a fleeting 60-degree day on Saturday, this week brought chillier temps and a fresh layer of snow. Immediately after staring out at the wintry weather and pouring myself a hot cup of coffee on the morning it hit, I felt that familiar urge to curl up and get lost in a book.

Looking at the long list of “books to read” that I keep on my phone, I instinctively found myself on Amazon, ready to order a few. Then I thought, wait a minute, what am I doing? I have a whole bookshelf of books upstairs, several of which have yet to be touched. Buying books is my bad habit.

I remember so well the day that President Obama was sworn in. I was in college and at work, where the inauguration was being projected. I didn’t expect it, but as I watched, my emotions took over. I tried to hide my tears, but looking around the room, I saw other misty eyes and felt a sense of togetherness. On that day in 2008, I didn’t feel fear or worry.

Today, I was emotional for different reasons. This time, I found myself worried about the state of our country. That sense of unity from 2008 was gone. In many places, hopefulness has dwindled. In his inaugural address, President Trump told us, “The United States of America is your country.” But is it?

I’m just not sure what to think today, as we’ve sworn in our 45th president. This may just be the sickness I’ve been fighting, but I feel a bit numb. In the United States of America, a country that is supposedly built on freedom, how can bigotry be at the forefront? In 2017?!

Speaking of running the world, most of you have probably seen this by now, and I shared it on Twitter a few weeks back, but I just love this commercial.

Unrelated – I’ve said it before, but the architecture in Buffalo is truly incredible. We’re so lucky to have that beauty at our doorsteps. Speaking of, I’ve only visited 3 of these 7 buildings. Guess I need to get explorin’!

Happy weekend, friends, and keep your heads up. Stay safe out there, too, if you’re headed out to protest. It should be a great one for getting outside, which I certainly intend to do. We need a little sunshine amongst these cloudy days…